What is depression?

Depression is not a simple disease. Rather, it’s a complex illness that can affect the ways you think, feel, and act. Researchers are still working to understand all the mechanisms of depression, but they do have a solid base of knowledge already.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that makes you feel sad and disinterested in the world around you. Unlike typical sadness, which may come and go, depression lasts for at least two weeks (and often persists much longer) and includes a whole host of additional symptoms.